Random Arts is located in Saluda, in the mountains of western North Carolina. This is where you can peer into the behind the scenes planning, random thoughts and process here as our random adventures continue.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Lea Nickless, watercolor artist who resides here in Saludapart time, provided an interesting demo using large sheets ofdecorative hand made papers.After creating several large 5x7 foldable booksLea added to the excitement by telling us thatany size paper will work because it's all about the foldingthat makes it happen!

Jen added to the excitement of the evening bydemonstrating a very awesome bead makingtechniqueusing strips of batik fabric along withvintage paper bits.After rolling the pieces togetherJen coated each piece withUTEE andglazed them with Rox to create glass like beads.

Rounding off the evening was Louise Mc Clure, JewelryArtist from Saluda who makes amazing things happenwith shrink plastic. Yes, you heard that right, but itis NOT your mother's "shrinky dinks" any more!Louise's talent far surpasses anything that you can evenimagine using this fabulous product for jewelry.Oak leafs, fleur de lis, floral elements and moreadd to the range of pieces that Louise can turninto a breath taking work of art.We weren't going to the end the weekend onFriday night so we continued the excitementinto Saturday with mixed media artist Susan Edmonson.Susan was here to teach her ever popularcanvas pendant workshop"sticks and stitches".Yes, a sewing machine was a must butoh my! What beautiful resultsone can achieve while sewing up a hemor mending a knee patch.Again, it's "not your grandmothers sewing machine anymore"!What a marvelous piece of machineryand what marvelous things we can make!

Below, happy students and a happy teachershow their appreciation for agreat day of creativity in Saluda.

Susi Cook works on her beadingon the canvas pendant.

Below is Sharon Kolbye's"almost" complete pendant.Just a few more beads at the bottomalong with that very special "bird in flight"and her project will be complete.I love it! Just look at thatlittle feather that Sharon added.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

These translucent charms were a hitin Louise McClures workshop here last week.I think that it might have had something todo with pounding the copper wire intointeresting shapes. Next step was toattach the wire to a very old page ofan old dictionary, trim and fill the centerwith amazing glaze or UTEE.Do a little heat with the toaster oven andpresto, magico, a fascinating hand crafted charm!

Using mica, Utee, photo holders and images,each person was able to create a menagerieof beautiful charms.

Next came Jen Salak'suniquely designed book that utilizedstrip paper covers and pages,sewn signatures, painted edges and spinesand lots of batiks fabrics.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

All those long,luscious strips of beautiful batiksand nothing to do with them?Right......Share them with the world around us and createour own little batik heaven right here at Random Arts.That all time favorite woven ribbon served as a greatcarrier to attach all these strips of batik, and onething led to another and it got longer and longer.All of sudden we had a banner and then we hadside banners and now we have leaves on thebanner and words on the leaves.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

It's time to get back to "work" for me after my little Costa Rican adventure and that starts with scheduling upcoming classes and events.Let's start with Jen's Eyelet Bound Book on Sat. October 10th.This is full day filled with paper creations, book binding, a littlesewing and a lot of FUN! It's only $50. for the entire day of instructionand all the materials are included. Don't miss out as the space is limited.Call or email us to register. 828-749-1165

Wed. October 14 - 10 till 4Louise McClure's Charms GaloreJoin Louise for a fun filled daycreatinga multitude of uniquecharms with modern day shrink plastic,mica, images, UTEE, and more.You will have the opportunity to view, up close and personal,some of her finished creations which incorporateher charms.Each one is sure to inspire you to use yourcharms in very special ways.$50.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Susan Edmonson's "sticks and stitches"pendant workshop.Sat. Oct 24thJoin quilt/mixed media artist, Susan Edmonsonfor this unique workshop using canvas, paints,stitching, beads and... her inspiration.Your imagination will take you where you wantto go, but Susan will be your guide gentlyencouraging you to "fly" with your creativity.This can be hand stitched or free motionedwith your sewing machine. Either wayit will become one of a kind "wearable art".10 am till 4pm$65